Aussie cruisers are taking over! Well, not exactly, but for
the first time ever we’re number 1 in the world for cruises per capita, even
eclipsing the USA. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about or have some
reservations, here we address the most common concerns of the potential
cruiser:

Potential cruiser concern number 1: Cruising is expensive

Cruise passengers tell us they are fearful of the cost of a
cruise. However cruises can be recognised as one of the most cost-effective
ways to holiday around the world. There is no other way to get all-inclusive
accommodation, food and transport all day, everyday. Depending on your
flexibility, your dream destination and the time of year, there are cruise
deals on offer all year round and the early bird specials are always the most
cost effective!

Potential cruiser concern number 2: What if I don’t like
what’s on the cruise?

If hatted restaurants are your thing, upmarket boutiques or
spa treatments and private jacuzzis, rest assured there is a cruise out there
for you. Cruise companies work hard to keep up to date with the latest
activities and greatest trends. You’ll receive a daily on board newsletter
detailing available activities and the best part is, all you have to do is turn
up. Do your research before you depart to find the cruise best suited to you!

Celebrity Solstice.

Diamond Princess.

Potential cruiser concern number 3: What if there’s no
one my age?

Contrary to the common misconception that cruises are
primarily for octogenarians (or those close behind), more and more
multi-generational families and travellers are taking on the cruise scene.
According to the 2014 cruise passenger data over a third of passengers are
under the age of 60! Different age groups enjoy different activities – reading
and relaxing, attending a cocktail party or more educational and engaging
activities like cooking classes, rock climbing or ice skating for the kids.
There really is something for every age.

Potential cruiser concern number 4: With that many people
on the boat, I’ll have to queue to get into things and I hate queuing!

Be concerned no more! Nowadays, you can pretty much do all
of your bookings online, not only for the main dining room, but also the spa,
shore excursions and other activities, as soon as your booking is confirmed
with the cruise line. When you arrive check out the activities, set up a
meeting with the concierge or activities organiser and lock them in to ensure
you don’t miss out.

Shore excursions and eating at local restaurants can be organised by the ship's concierge - or you can book online.

Potential cruiser concern number 5: Internet access is
woeful

Extremely costly and also painfully unreliable, internet
access on board a cruise ship is in truth, woeful. Depending solely on the
weather conditions and the number of other passengers trying to surf the net,
can be very frustrating. But you’re meant to be escaping the outside world
anyway, right?

Our tips? Try a time when the least number of passengers are
also trying to connect, or ask the staff members where the best spot on the
ship is for getting a reasonable connection.

Getting ready to plate up lunch on the Diamond Princess.

Seadream YachtClub

With any type of holiday, there’s bound to be pros and cons.
But with 36 ships making a total of 650 port visits around the country this
cruise season, cruising is definitely becoming a more popular and tailored
holiday option for Aussies. So with a little bit of research, we doubt you’ll
have any trouble finding the one that suits you!

Ice magic

Dark days, freezing temperatures, treacherous
ice and limb-numbing snow: what’s not to love about travelling in the world’s
extreme north and south?

The Danes even have a word for the addiction
that sees intrepid travellers spending their lives exploring the polar regions:
polarhullar.

After several days sailing in the Arctic Circle on the
coastal passenger and freight shipping route the Hurtigruten, I’m below the
circle and back in the (relative) comfort zone of the Norwegian town of Bergen,
trying to describe the snowy-hail mix I’d experienced further north, in Rørvik. I’m grappling with the description of
the small, tightly formed balls of snow that were powdery, almost dry to the
touch.

“Sorry, in Norwegian we don’t
have a hundred names for snow,” says a Bergen man. “But in Bergen, we do have a
hundred names for rain,” and everyone around him laughs knowingly.

Bergen, you see, gets 265 days’
rain each year.

Bergen - pretty as a picture!

“And last year, we had 300 days’
rain,” adds his friend. Yes, they’re counting. It’s midwinter, with no sun and
it’s absolutely pelting down. I can’t wait to go outside.

Despite its dreary winter weather, Bergen is picturebook
charming, with its quaint timber waterfront buildings, all pitched roofs and
summery colours against the darkening sky. This gloomy winter’s eve, the
brightest shops on the waterfront are selling delicate glass Christmas
ornaments and knitted snowflakes. Even the town’s McDonalds is situated in an
elegant old building, dishing up en smak
av Norge, their Taste of Norway burger served with the country’s most
famous cheese, Jarlsberg.

My hotel, the nattily named Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret (above), is right on the
waterfront in historic Bryggen.
The hotel is a short walk to the Fløibanen – the shiny funicular that
takes you to the top of Mt Fløyen, 320m above sea level, to buy moose fridge
magnets and take in the panorama of the Norwegian coastline – and close by
Fisketorget, the city’s
fish market.

I
know, it doesn’t sound toasty, but the glamorous, modern glass market
spills across the waterfront, and does a racy trade in fish and chips, fresh
crab and tastes of hot-smoked spiced salmon. In the 800-year-old market, its most
famous resident, a colossal Svalbard
polar bear (stuffed), overlooks the treasures of the cold sea spread out for us
chilled shoppers. Stock up on eminently packable gifts or picnic fare such as tinned
king crab, reindeer salami and tubes of the iconic Norwegian Mills cod roe
kaviar – the rich bounty of the Arctic.

Surrounded by the city’s twinkling lights, eating kaviar
and toasting the snowy peaks with hot cocoa,
polarhullar is guaranteed.

For more
information: visit bentours.com.au,hurtigruten.com, clarionhotel.com, visitbergen.com and visitnorway.com.